The Shape of Things to Come: Software's Increasing Role in Musical Production and Performance

Take a long look at modern music production and performance. Although much of performance, including song structure and instruments, remains the same, behind the scenes, there is a burgeoning development of software programs designed to assist in both the production and performance of music. There are programs available to assist and guide in the construction of tracks, other programs that notate songs in tablature and standard notation and even more programs that offer sounds and effects that are very difficult to execute with standard analog instruments.

For many, the proliferation of these programs has made readily available to thousands what were once only available to a handful of artists with studio contracts or those with money to spend in pricey production studios. Now, music hobbyists, passionate self-producers and everyone in between has access to many of the same tools that professionals have safe-guarded for decades. And best of all, many of these programs feature tools to produce and sample instrumental sounds and sequences that would otherwise require years of training.

While traditionally analog performances are reaping many benefits from available software programs, perhaps the most visibly and drastically changed field of music is DJing. In the last ten years, DJs and hobbyists alike have begun a gradual conversion from vinyl records and CDs to the transportability of MP3s. But this isn’t the only change that has occurred. Many DJs are beginning to make use of the software programs designed specifically for mixing tracks and building sets. In doing so, many DJs have been freed from the burden of transporting heavy, costly gear, searching through piles or lists of vinyl records, CDs and MP3s and are now enabled to focus on the two most important tasks a DJ faces: smoothly transitioning from one track to another and adeptly choosing tracks for play. Many such DJ Software programs are reviewed within our DJ Software Site, with world-renowned TRAKTOR chief among them.

Although familiar musical instruments are unlikely to go away anytime soon, the new direction in musical production and performance going from the hands of the few to the keyboards of the many is a welcome one. And with existing software programs constantly being expanded and improved and new programs offering new functions and features, this direction is only going to get better.

For the latest news and reviews in music, be sure and check out our Music Site.

You can also read software reviews for DJ Software programs and MP3 Players.